Method and apparatus for making label units



Nov. 5, 1940. R. s. AVERY METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING LABEL UNITS Filed March 1, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. BY @@W W ATTORNEY.

Nov. 5, 1940. R. s. AVERY METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING LABEL UNITS Filed March 1, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet-2 III.

O O o O 0 48 G Q SQ p .m. T4 l u \W M A W mK Q 2 m3 mw 3 3% 0 T Q 5 ho QR 4 M 0 O O "0 80 vm m. Q E/ r Nov. 5, 1940. R; s. AVERY METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING LABEL UNITS Filed March 1, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

I!!! m M. E. n

Nov. 1940. R. s. AVERY 2,220,071

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING LABEL UNITS Filed March 1, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 5, 1940 AND arrana'ros Foa MAKING L UNITS mz'rnon LABE PATENT OFFICE Ray Stanton Avery, Los Angcles, Calif. Application March 1, 1937, Serial No. 128,414

9 Claims. (01. 154-1) This invention relates to labels, stickers and the like, and to means for making and subsequently protecting and preserving the same in groups of any desired number, and in such manner as to render the same readily accessible and available for use when required.

Labels and stickers such as those commonly used to indicate price data, quantity, quality or other information, are used in great quantities and are adapted to be only temporarily applied to a great variety of articles. Labels used for this purpose are provided with what are commonly referred to as remoistening gum surfaces. That is, surfaces which require moistening prior to their application. They are inconvenient to use, especially when of very small size, and are diflicult to handle in the processes of manufacturing, packing, storage and the like, because of constant changes in atmospheric conditions which tend to break down the gummed surfaces. Such labels are further objectidnabla'since they are not easily removable from a surface after having once been firmly afllxed thereto, and leave marks on the surface when they are removed therefrom. This condition is particularly true when the labels are afiixed to smooth glazed, nonporous surfaces.

In order to provide labels which can readily be aflixed to all kinds of surfaces, and yet be easily removed without leaving marks or otherwise damaging said surfaces, the present invention contemplates the application of a pressure sensitive adhesive surface on the labels. Such adhesive surfaces are characterized by the fact that they do not require moistening prior to their application, but are affixed to a surface by slight application of pressure, and are readily removable by peeling from engagement with the surface to which they are adhesively aiiixed.

It is a salient object of the present invention to provide methods and means of manufacturing labels having adhesive surfaces of the above character.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of means for manufacturing and subsequently protecting adhesive labels or elements of the character referred to either individually or in groups, so as to prevent said elements from sticking or adhering to surfaces against which they are inadvertently contacted, and to at the same time maintain the adhesive elements readily available for use as desired.

' Another object of the invention is to accomplish the above by applying a partial coating of pressure sensitive adhesive to one face of the labels, and temporarily aflixing said labels on a, protective element by contact of their pressure sensitive adhesive surfaces with the protective element, whereby the uncoated portions of the labels provide means by which the labels can be grasped and readily removed from said protective element without contacting the adhesive portions of said labels with the fingers.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means for continuously forming and applying labels of the character described to a protective strip, which may be severed into sections containing any desired number of labels. Another object of the invention resides in a method of continuously forming labels and applying them to a protective strip, which consists in moving a strip of material partially coated with a pressure sensitive adhesive past a punching die, which cuts the labels from the strip and deposits them upon the protective strip to which they adhere and by which they are carried from said punching die.

A further object of the invention is the provision of means associated with the punching die for preventing the adhesive surfaces on the strip from adhering thereto during the punching operation, and to also prevent the accumulation of adhesive on the die.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a method of the character referred to in which the strip of label stock is only partially covered with the pressure sensitive adhesive material, and in which the labels are cut from said strip in such a manner as to leave on at least one of their edges a free portion which can be grasped to remove said labels from the protective strip when removal is desired.

Another object of the invention is to deposit the labels on the protective strip so that the nonadhesive label edges are positioned transversely thereof, whereby to facilitate the removal of the labels from said strip.

A further object of the invention resides in a method of continuously forming labels of the character referred to and in mounting them onto a protective strip, which consists in partially coating one side of a strip of material with adhesive, of then treating said adhesive surfaces for rendering them pressure sensitive, in then subjecting said label strip to the action of a label forming device which cuts the labels therefrom so that at least one of their edges is free from the adhesive material, and in then depositing said labels upon a movable protective strip so that their free edges are disposed transversely of said protective strip.

This invention possesses many other advantages and has other objects which will be made more easily apparent from a consideration of the embodiments thereof shown in the accompanying drawings and forming part of the present specification. 1 shall now proceed to describe these forms in detail which illustrate the general principles of my invention; but it is to be understood that this description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best deflned in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view illustrating one form of apparatus contemplated by my in-' vention for forming and mounting adhesive labels and the like so as to preserve the same and render them readily accessible for use.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the device provided by my invention for applying adhesive to the material from which the labels are formed.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the apparatus.

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view taken as indicated by line H of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken as indicated by line 55 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken as indicated by line 86 of Figure 4.

Figure 7 illustrates a portion of a label forming strip with the adhesive transversely applied thereto in accordance with one method contemplated bymy invention.

Figure 8 is an attachment for the adhesive applying device, whereby .to remove portions of the adhesive from the label forming strip in accordance with that illustrated in Figure 9.

Figure 9 illustrates a portion of a label forming strip with the adhesive longitudinally applied thereto in accordance with another method contemplated by my invention.

Figure 10 is a top plan view showing a modified form of the invention.

Figure 11 is a sectional view taken as indicated by line ll-li of Figure 10.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary view of a label forming strip with adhesive applied thereto, as used in connection with the apparatus shown in Figure 10.

1 Figures 13, 14, and 15 show fragmentary portions of finished products produced by apparatus constructed in accordance with my invention.

Figures 16, 17, and 18 are sections taken as indicated by lines Iii-46, i'll|, and l8l8, of the respective Figures 13, 14 and 15, and

Figure 19 illustrates the method of using the product shown in Figure 15.

Referring particularly to Figure 1, the stock or material from which the labels are formed comprises a continuous strip 10, which is drawn from a roll I I wound on a reel 12. One surface of the strip is partially coated with a pressure sensitive adhesive as it progresses through the machine, and said strip is fed past a label forming device which cuts the, labels therefrom and deposits them upon a continuous protective strip [3 to which they adhere. The strip it may be formed from material such as glassine or the like, which is fed from a roll l4, wound on a reel [5. The protective strip IS with the labels aflixed thereto, is wound on a reel it, which is driven through any suitable slip-clutch mechanism generally designated IS. The web-like strip resulting from the removal of the labels from the strip I0, is wound on a reel I], which is driven through a Referring to Figures 1, 3 and 4, the strip II is maintained taut as it is drawn from the reel l2, by a tension roll it, which is urged against said strip bya spring I! acting on the pivotally mounted arms 20. The strip passes under a roll 2|, upwardly "over a roll 22, and around a roll 23 mounted to rotate in a container 24 holding fluent adhesive. As-the strip it passes around the roller 23 it extends sufllciently into the adhesive to receive a thin layer or film of said material on one of its faces. The level of the fluent adhesive in the container 24 is kept constant by providing a restricted passage 25 between said container and the reservoir 26 associated therewith, which contains a supply of the fluent adhesive.

In the present method it is desired to form labels from the strip l0 having one of their edges free from adhesive, and to afllx the labels onto the protective strip I! so that their free edges are disposed transversely of said strip. This is.

accomplished by removing transverse areas of adhesive from the coated surface of the strip II as it passes around the roll 22. The means employed for removing the adhesive is shown clearest in Figures 1 and 2. It comprises a pivotally supported member 21 carrying a wiper 28 formed of felt or other suitable material. The wiper extends across the entire face of the label forming strip i0 and is urged thereagainst by a spring 29. As the strip Ill progresses around the roll 23, the wiper is intermittently removed from engagement with the strip III by the circumferentially arranged cam elements 30 provided at opposite ends of the roll 23. This intermittent wiping action results in the production of alternate transverse adhesive and non-adhesive surfaces 3! and 32 on over a drying unit 33 or the like, which dries the adhesive, causing it to assume a tacky character which has heretofore been referred to as pressure sensitive. The term pressure sensitive as used in connection with the present invention, includes compositions which are adhesive under light contact pressure without moistening.

The strip ID with the transverse pressure sensitive adhesive surfaces formed thereon. passes around a roll 34. The roll 34 is provided with a roughened face for preventing the adherence of the pressure sensitive adhesive surfaces thereto. From the roll 34, the strip l0 passes beneath a roll 35 and around a roll 36, from'which it passes between a pair of feed rolls 31 and 38. Said feed rolls are intermittently driven in a manner hereinafter described for feeding the label strip Ill 4 punching die, as shown clearest in Figure 4. A 7

The means for actuating the male die mem pair of die elements 4| are carried on the reciprocating or male die member 42, and are cooperative with complementary openings 48 in the female die 48 to stamp the labels out of the strip I8 and deposit them on the protective strip I! to which they adhere.

As the label strip i9 is intermittently moved toward the left in Figure 1, the glassine protective strip I8 is intermittently and synchronously moved toward the right. The protective strip I8 is fed from the reel ll over a tension roll 49, which is carried by the pivotally mounted arms 48 acted upon by a spring 4|. The strip l8 then passes under an idler roll 48 mounted on a frame 48', and extends substantially horizontally in a co-extensive relation with the portion of the label strip ll extending from the feed rolls through the punching die. -After leaving the roll 48, the protective strip ll passes under a bristled brush 49, which presses it against a plate 58, whereby to eliminate slackness in said strip. The brush is carried by a strap 9| which is mounted on the plate 88, and said plate is supported by the angle members 52 of a supporting frame structure, shown clearest in Figures 3 and 5. As the strip l8 progresses toward the right in Figure 1, it moves overa passes between the die elements or 'punchers 4| and a yieldable pressure platefl. The pressure plate 54 is guided forvertical movement .in a guide frame 55, mounted on the stationary or female die member 40, as shown clearest in Figure 4. Said plate is yieldingly urged toward the female die member 48' by the action of a coil spring 96 on a pressure pin 91, which is slidable through an adjustingnut- 88 and has one end bearing against the plate 84. Thepressure exerted on the pressure plate is just sufficient to ensure the adherence of the labels to the protective strip l3 as they are deposited thereon by the die elements 4|. An adherence of the pressure sensitive adhesive surfaces on the label strip III to the punching die during the punching operations of the labels is overcome by providing a roughened surface on the upper face of the female die slot 99. This is an important feature of the invention and is accomplished in the present instance by mounting a sheet of emery paper 59 on the upper face of the die slot 89 as shown clearest in Figure 4.

As the protective strip I8 progresses further toward the right in Figure 1, subsequent to the label cutting and applying operation, it moves over a second guide plate 60. The guide plates 53 and 88 are connected by integral portions 6|, which extend around the guide frame 59 and are secured to the stationary or female die member 40 as shown in Figures 3 and 4. The die member 40 is secured to the angle members 52 of the supporting frame by bolts 92.

The protective strip l9 with the labels afilxed thereto, extends between the intermittently driven feed roll 38 and an idler roll 83 preferably I formed of rubber or other yieldable material. The rolls 98 and 83 cooperatively cause the intermittent movement of the protective strip through the machine, and as the finished product leaves said feed rolls, it is wound on the reel IS. The label strip I 8.is web-like after the labels have been punched therefrom, and said waste material upon leaving the punching die, passes around a roll 84. From this roll it passes around a tension roll .85 carried by an arm 88, which is acted upon by a spring 81 for maintaining the strip ill taut as it passes the punching die.

guide plate as, and

ber 42 and its accompanying punches or die elements 4|, is best illustrated-in Figures 1 and 4- The die member 42 carries a depending bar 88 which is slidable through a guide head 89 formed on one end of a guide bracket 10. The lower end of the bar 98 is connected with a crank |l through a link or connecting rod 12, which is pivotally connected at?" and 14 to the bar and crank respectively. The crank is fixedly carried on one end of the crank shaft 15, which is supported in a bearing 18 formed on a bearing bracket 11. The opposite end of the shaft carries a pulley 18, by which it is driven from a motor 19 through the belt 80. The guide bracket I8 and the bearing bracket 11 may be riveted.

or otherwise secured to the supporting members 8| and 82 eictending between upright members 83 and 84 of the supporting frame structure. The members-8| and 82 also serve to support the driving motor 19. It is obvious how the die vpunches 4| will reciprocate in the complementary die openings 43, upon rotating the crank shaft 15.

pawl 98, pivotally-secured to a member 9|. One

end of the member 9| is pivotally connected to the shaft 81, and the other end is connected with the operating arm 92 through a connecting link 93. One end of the connecting link 93 is pivotally connected to the member 9| by a pin 94,

' which also carries a spring element 95, adapted to urge the pawl into engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 89. The other end of the link 93 is adjustably and pivotally connected to the operating arm 92 by a bolt 94' passing through the slot 95 in said arm. One end of the operating arm 92 is pivotally connected as at 98. to the lower end of a fixed hanger 91, dependably carried by the bearing 91' (Figures 1 and 3). The opposite end of the operating arm 92 is connected with the pulley 18 through a connecting rod or bar 98. The upper end of the bar 98 is pivotally and adjustably connected to the operating arm 92 by a pin 99 passing through the slot I09 in the arm 92. The lower end of the bar-98 is pivotally connected at |0| tothe pulley 18.

When the machine is in operation it is necessary that the label strip and the protective strip be maintained stationary both during the label punching and depositing operation, and during the withdrawal of the punching elements 4| from said strip. This is accomplished by maintaining the pivotal connection '14 ninety degrees in ad vance of the pivotal connection |0| at all times. When the connections 14 and |8| are inthe position shown in'Figure 1, the punching elements 4| are at the limit of their upward stroke, and the pawl 98 is positioned halfway on its upward or retractedstroke. As the pivotal connections 14 and IM are moved in a counter-clockwise direction from the positions shown in Figure the punch elements 4| are moved downwardly and the pawl 90 is further retracted upwardly on the ratchet wheel 89. When the punch elements 4| reach a point halfway of their down.- ward stroke, the upward or retracted movement of the pawl is completed. During the last half 75' pawl so operatively engages the ratchet wheel 89 for driving the feed rolls and effecting a movement of the strips Ill, and I3.

The longitudinal extent of the punch face on each of the punch elements ll is greater than the width of the transverse adhesive surfaces ti on the label strip I. (Figure 7), and the movement of the strip II is such that the die elements 4| overlap a portion of the transverse non-adhesive surfaces 32 intermediate the transverse adhesive surfaces 3| on said label strip. The labels are accordingly cut out of the strip II with one of their edges free from adhesive,

- and are aflixed in the same relative position on the protective strip It, so that their free edges are disposed transversely of said protective strip.

The finished product comprising the protective strip It with the labels amxed thereto, is shown in Figures 15 and 18. The non-adhesive or free edges 32' of the labels I02 provide a convenient gripping means by which the labels may be peeled from the protective strip by the user as required.

The space between the non-adhesive surface of the labels I02 and the protective strip i3 is exaggerated in Figure 18. The adhesive surface on the labels is actually only a very thin film and the non-adhesive or free surface lies very close to the protective strip. In order tograsp the free edges of the labels for removal, it is sometimes necessary to bend the protective 'strip over the finger so as to further separate the free edges of the labels from the protective strip. By positioning the labels on the protective strip so that their free edges are transversely thereof, the protective strip may be easily handled and bent transversely over the forefinger as illustrated in Figure 19, particularly when. the labels are used from long strips on rolls. 4 When it is desired to produce a productin which the free edges of the labels are disposed longitudinally of the protective strip, the element I03 (Figure 8), may be substituted for the member 21 in Figure 1. In this method the cam elements 30 are not needed, since the wiping elements llll of the element I03 are adapted to be held in continuous engagement with the label strip during itsmovement, for producing continuous non-adhesive strips on said label strip subsequent to the adhesive applying operation. In Figure 9, a section of a label strip I is shown with the longitudinal non-adhesive strips I04 and the intermediate longitudinal adhesive strips I05 thereon. As the label strip I0 is moved over the punching die, the die elements are adapted to overlap the longitudinal non-adhesive surfaces on said label strip, whereby to punch outlabels having an edge free from adhesive. In Figure 9, the die punches are indicated at 4| by dotted lines. In the particular form they are both arranged to overlap the center longitudinal non-adhesive strip on the label strip Ill. The label portions stamped from the strip it are aflixed in the same relative position on the protective strip l3 (Figures 13 and 16), the free edges III! of the labels I08 being disposed longitudinally of the protective strip l3 and facing the center of said strip.

Figures 14 and 1'? show another product made by the above method, in which the labels punched out of the label strip are round but are positioned on the protective strip similarly to the labels shown in connection with Figure 13.

In order to visibly identify the edges of the labels to be grasped. said edges may be provided withruledlinessuchas llOinFlgure 13,ormay bebuiltup ssindicated at Ill inFigure 14.

The modified form of. my invention shown in Figures 10 and 11 contemplates another method of producing a product similar to that shown in Figure 15, wherein the labels are formed with free edges which are disposed transversely of the glassine or other suitable protective strip. In this form. one face of the label forming strip Illa is provided with 'oneor more continuous strips of a pressure sensitive adhesive such as Ilt', which may be formed thereon by a device similar to that shown in Figure 8. The strip Illa may be, fed through submntially the same path as that followed by the label strip II in the form hereinbefore described. Said strip passes between a pair of intermittently actuated feed rolls l1 and 38 as it moves in a horizontal path toward the left (in Figure 10). The side of the label strip having the adhesive thereon faces upwardly, and the feed roll 30' may be provided with a roughened surface, so as to prevent the adhesive from sticking thereto, and also to prevent slippage between it and the label strip Ma. After leaving the feed rolls, the strip Illa passes through a slot ll in a stationary die member 40 (Figure 11). A pair of die punches 4| operate in complementary openings 43' in the female die member II, to stamp the labels out of the strip Ila and press them onto a protective strip Ha, which in this form is positioned for movement in a path transverse to the path of movement of the label strip Illa, as shown clearest in Figure 10. The web-like or waste material lob resulting from the label punching operation, passes around a roll "4' and thence to the reel l'lb through a path similar 'to that followed in the form of theapparatus heretofore described. The reel I'Ib is driven through any suitable slip-clutch mechanism generally designated "a for winding the waste material on said reel.

The die punches ll are arranged to overlap the non-adhesive portions Ill of the label forming strip We as clearly illustrated by the broken line position of said die punches in Figure 12, and the labels cut from the strip Illa are accordingly provided with one edge which is free from adhesive. It will be obvious how the labels will be applied to the protective strip l3a. with their free edges disposed transversely thereof as shown in Figure 15.

The protective strip l3ais drawn from a roll H'carried on a reel l5, as by a second pair of intermittently actuated feed rolls 63 and 63a. As said protective strip "a passes over the die punches ll it is urged toward said punches by a plate or anvil 54', yieldably supported in a manner similar to that shown in the form of my invention hereinbefore described. The protective strip Ha with the labels attached thereto, is wound upon a reel l8, which is driven through a slip-clutch mechanism lia.

The label forming strip lob and the protec-- tive strip l3a are intermittently and synchronously fed in the directions indicated by the arrows in Figure 10 in the following manner. The mechanism for actuating the punches ll and intermittently driving the feed rolls 31f and 38' is substantially similar to that employed in the apparatus heretofore described and need not be again described. However, in the present instance the gears interconnecting the feed rolls for the label strip are eliminated. The intermittent movementof the feed rolls 81' and II is transmitted to the feed rolls .3 and "a through the extended shafts 81' and 08' and interconnected bevel gears 85' and 86.

I claim:

1. In the art described in which a label strip having a'coating of pressure sensitive adhesive is intermittently moved in a plane parallel to a general plane of a surface having a multiplicity of minute contact areas slightly displaced from such surface comprising stopping the strip with the adhesive facing the contact areas, punching a label by a cut through the strip from the uncoated side, in such punching pressing the adhesive against the minute contact areas, after punching releasing the strip for movement and again moving the strip, the adhesive readily separating from the minute contact areas.

2. In the art described in which a label strip having a coating on one side of plastic pressure sensitive adhesive is intermittently moved and stopped adjacent a roughened surface having a multiplicity of minute contact areas and over a punch comprising punching a label by cutting the label strip from its uncoated side towards its coated side and in such punching pressing the adhesive against the contact areas,.transferring the punched label as a continuing step of the punching to a receiving strip, the adhesive attaching the label to such strip, retracting the punch and continuing the movement of the label strip, the adhesive readily separating from the contact areas.

3. In the art described, continuously moving a label strip to immerse one surface in a bath of fluent adhesive, after removal of such surface from the bath and while the adhesive is still fluid, intermittently removing areas of the adhesive from the strip to leave coated and uncoated portions thereof.

4. In the art described, continuously moving a label strip, applying a fluent adhesive to the whole surface of such strip, then while the ,adhesive is still fluent intermittently removing the adhesive from portions of the strip to leave the strip with coated and uncoated areas.

5. In the art described, continuously moving a label strip, applying a fluent adhesive to the whole surface of such strip, then while the adhesive is still fluent intermittently removing the adhesive from portions of the strip to leave the strip with coated and uncoated areas, in rmittently moving the label strip to bring strip to rest with the adhesive coating in close'proximity to a roughened surface having a multiplicity of contact areas, punching a label while the strip isatrestfromtheuncoatedsideandlocating' the punching to include in the label coated and uncoated areas, in the punching operation pressing the adhesive into engagement with the contact areas and after the punching again moving the strip, the adhesive readily separating from the contact areas.

6. In the art described, intermittently moving a label strip having areas coated with a plastic pressure sensitive adhesive, while the label strip is at rest punching a label from the strip by a punching movement from the uncoated side, in.

the punching action resisting a bodily movement of the label strip by contacting the adhesive with a multiplicity of minute contact areas, then after the punching by the next movement of the strip releasing the adhesive from such contact areas.

7. In a device as described, a structure forming a container for fluent adhesive, means to move an elongated label strip to bring one surface of the strip into contact with the adhesive, adhesive removers positioned to engage the strip while the adhesive is still fluent and means to periodically engage the adhesive removers with the strip for the removal of adhesive to leave coated and uncoated areas on the strip.

8. In a device as described for punching labels from an adhesive coated label strip, the combination of a label punching assembly including a die structure having a surface with a multiplicity of minute areas to engage the coated side of the strip, such areas having the characteristic of preventing the engagement of the adhesive with the said complete surface, a punch operative from the uncoated side of the strip to punch labels therefrom, the pressure of the punch on the label strip producing a contact of the adhesive with the said areas, means to intermittently move the strip on retraction of the punch, the movement of the strip readily releasing the adhesive from the multiplicity of minute areas.

9. In a device as described, a die assembly having a transverse opening with an upper surface having a multiplicity of minute contact areas, means to intermittently feed a label strip having a coating of plastic pressure sensitive adhesive through the opening timed to bring the strip to rest with the adhesive facing towards said contact areas, a label punch, means to force the punch through the label strip from the side opposite the coating and thereby contact the coating on the strip outside of the label area with the said minute contact areas, means to retract the punch timed for the feed of the strip to occur when the punch is retracted whereby during the feeding movement the adhesive readily releases from the said contact areas.

. RAY STANTON AVERY. 

